The name Dominique is of Latin origin and means "belonging to the Lord" or "of the Lord." It is derived from the Latin word "Dominus," which translates to "lord" in English.
The use of the name Dominique can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it was used as a title for high-ranking officials. However, its popularity as a given name did not begin until the early Middle Ages. During this time, the name became associated with several prominent figures in the Christian Church, including Saint Dominic de Guzman (1170-1221), who founded the Dominican Order.
Over the centuries, Dominique has been used in various forms throughout Europe and beyond. In France, it is often spelled "Dominique," while in Italy, it may appear as "Domenico." In Spain, it is sometimes seen as "Domingo," and in Portugal, as "Domingos."
Today, Dominique continues to be a popular name for boys around the world. It has been used by many notable individuals throughout history, including French philosopher Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), Spanish painter Diego Velázquez (1599-1660), and French composer Maurice Ravel (1875-1937).
The name Dominique experienced a significant rise in popularity from the 1960s onwards, with a notable spike in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The peak was reached in 1991 with 1869 births. However, since then there has been a steady decline, reaching a low of 135 births in 2022. Overall, from 1912 to 2023, there have been a total of 23310 births named Dominique.